Chapter 7
The bodyguards dragged the screaming, thrashing Bianca out of the breakfast room, her designer heels dragging uselessly across the floor. Another pair of men hauled Marcus’s heavy, bleeding body out by his arms, leaving a faint crimson streak across the pristine marble. The doors clicked shut, finally cutting off the horrific noise.
Vittorio stood in the center of the room, taking a slow, deep breath to steady the raging inferno of adrenaline in his veins. He turned his attention back to the corner of the room.
Emma was sitting on the floor, holding Lucy tightly in her lap. The young housekeeper was rocking the three-year-old back and forth, whispering soothing words into her ear.
Vittorio walked over to them and dropped to one knee.
"Emma," Vittorio said, his deep voice softening to a gentle, reassuring rumble.
Emma looked up, her blue eyes wide with residual fear, but she held her ground. "Yes, Mr. Romano?"
"You stood between a monster. And my daughter," Vittorio said, looking deeply into her eyes. "You recorded the evidence knowing it could cost you your life. You are the only reason I know the truth."
"I couldn't just watch them hurt her, sir," Emma whispered, a single tear escaping her eye. "She is a beautiful, sweet girl. She didn't deserve any of this."
"No, she did not," Vittorio agreed, his jaw tightening as he looked at the torn, filthy clothes his daughter was wearing. "You are no longer a housekeeper in this estate, Emma. As of this moment, you are the head of my daughter's personal security and care detail. Your salary is quintupled. You answer only to me. If anyone in this house disrespects you, you come directly to my office."
Emma gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "Mr. Romano... I... thank you. I promise I will protect her with my life."
"I know you will," Vittorio said softly.
He reached out his large, tattooed hands. "Come here, Lucy."
Lucy sniffled, releasing her grip on Emma's apron, and crawled into her father's waiting arms. Vittorio stood up, holding the little girl securely against his chest. He buried his face in her hair, ignoring the smell of damp earth and neglect, focusing only on the fact that she was safe.
"Daddy," Lucy murmured, resting her head on his broad shoulder. "Are the bad people gone?"
"They are gone, little one," Vittorio promised, kissing her cheek. "They are never coming back to this house. I am going to have Emma draw you a very warm bubble bath, and then the chef is going to make you the biggest plate of pancakes in the world. How does that sound?"
"With chocolate chips?" Lucy asked, a tiny, fragile smile appearing on her face.
"With extra chocolate chips," Vittorio smiled back, though his eyes remained deadly serious.
He handed Lucy back to Emma. "Take her upstairs to my private suite. Lock the heavy steel doors. Do not open them for anyone except me."
May you like
"Yes, sir," Emma nodded, taking the child and hurrying out of the room toward the secure elevators.
Once his daughter was safe, Vittorio’s demeanor shifted back entirely to the ruthless Mafia Boss. He pulled his encrypted smartphone from his tailored suit jacket and dialed a secure number. The internal threat was neutralized, but the political fallout with the Hale family was about to explode into a full-scale war.
